Petting mini-game removed from US version of Fire Emblem Fates

Fire Emblem Fates was always assumed to undergo notable changes outside of Japan.  Kotaku has reported on the most drastic one yet; the removal of the face-touching skinship mini-game that helped speed along the support conversations that the series is known for.  

It is currently unknown if the game will be slightly rebalanced in the absence of this mode, or if there will be some sort of alternative to make up for this missing content as items and minor character development is reliant on this mode.

It is also not yet known if said mode will be removed in the European version of the game.

Fire Emblem Fates is set to release in the US on February 19, with Europe receiving the game at a later date in 2016.